FINANCE MINISTER FELIX MUTATI has said the Zambian government is in the process of creating financing instruments which will facilitate enhanced participation of the private sector in infrastructure development.

Addressing delegates and investors at the on-going Africa Infrastructure Financing Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, today, Mr. Mutati said one of Zambia’s top priorities was to mobilise public-private-sector investment for mega projects such as the planned Batoka Power Station between Zambia and Zimbabwe which is expected to produce 2,400 MW of hydro power and enhance developmental integration in the region.

“Unless we have power to drive industrialisation, regional integration and competitiveness will be eroded,” he said, adding that, “in Zambia we are refining public-private-partnership models to facilitate infrastructure development from design to operation and transfer, through financing instruments such as credit enhancement and contingent guarantees.”

“We cannot address the infrastructure deficit in Africa if we continue with business as usual,” warned Mr. Mutati, adding that “we also need to begin to create a sense of urgency to curb excessive bureaucracy and establish functional platforms for efficient and effective actualisation of private investment.”

“I remain hopeful that despite the infrastructure challenges, working together with neighbouring governments will enhance Zambia’s competitiveness,” said the Minister, adding that, “this year alone [2017], investments from South Africa have reached close to one billion dollars [US$ 1 billion].

Speaking earlier at the same event, SOUTH AFRICA’S MINISTER OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT ROB DAVIES said that the African Continent has an annual infrastructure financing deficit of US$ 93 billion per annum for the next twenty years.”

He also said that “South Africa is making progress in unlocking the infrastructure deficit by harnessing partnerships and using locally manufactured components and inputs, in line with Africa’s 2063 Agenda and Vision for social-economic development.”

“We have developed guidelines and a code of conduct for South African companies which have invested and are operating businesses in other African countries to ensure that the highest standards of corporate governance are observed,” disclosed Minister Davies.

“South Africa aims to enhance investment led trade partnership with Zambia especially in the energy sector,” he said, also adding that, “we are looking at ways in which we could partner with Zambia to address developmental challenges of our two countries through infrastructure development.”